144 RF PALLET

The 144Mhz RF Pallet has arrived, it's made by the Italian company ITB in Cisliano Milan, using the Freescale MRFE6VP5600H Mosfet. It's a bit on the expensive side but extremely well made. It measures only 110mmx50mm which is really small considering that it can produce 500/600 watts. A large heatsink is now needed to keep this small transistor cool. My initial thinking is 160x85x300mm hollow fin from ABL. This particular heatsink looks like it will give very good cooling from the information on its data sheet.

Next on the list of goodies winging their way towards me is the W6PQL Control Board and LPF along with a few other bits

ITALAB.IT                   144 RF Pallet

ABL Birmingham           Heatsink

W6PQL                       Control Board, LPF and many other amplifier bits and bobs

LDMOS 144-146 Mhz SSPA Amplifier

2 Meter Solid State Amplifier

Starting to build up componants for my 2 Meter SSPA Amplifier. First to arrive was the 48vdc power supply, it was purchased on Ebay for £22 including shipping. The power supply is a Meanwell  SDR-960-48 delivering 20amps 26 peak...by my calculations this is sufficient

The next items to arrive were the Tohtsu coaxial relays, a CX-230-L and CX-600-NL. These proved to be a pain to find here in the UK and after 2 weeks of searching and telephone calls to UK suppliers they were eventually obtained from Henry Radio in the US.  I wanted these pictular relays because of the direction that the plugs are orientated, as this will suit my amplifier layout better....

http://henryradio.com

Warm Extremities

Today the final part of my warm extremities kit arrived, down socks, from Marco at AS Tucas, I've had them on my feet whilst writing this post... warm feet at last.. These new socks as well as my Alliance gloves from RAB will be put to full use as I'm due to go out backpacking this weekend.. These items are a major improvement over the kit I used in the past . I suffer from Raynaud's phenomenon, in which the small blood vessels in the extremities are over-sensitive to changes in temperature. It makes camping and outdoor activities a bit of a pain, but over the years I have got use to it and now wear Down or Primaloft insulation

The gloves above are RAB's Alliance model, they are made with a Pertex Microlight shell and Primaloft insulation for the inner glove. The outer glove is made from Event fabric with a Pittards leather palm. I've had these gloves a year or so now and I've found them to be of outstanding quality and double warm. Both the above were expensive but at the age of 54 comfort is now my main objective, the extra 200 or so grams and cost are immaterial comfort comfort and more comfort

Down Socks ---- http://astucas.com 

 RAB Gloves ---- http://rab.equipment

Warm feet

Been on a bit of a shopping spree updating kit both radio and backpacking. On the backpacking side I found these down socks mentioned on Matt Holland's blog at OutdoorsMH, after reading Matt's post about these socks a year ago or so. I have now taken the plunge and purchased a pair from Marco at AS Tucas in Spain.. Looking forward to double warm feet as these are now part of my sleep system, as I have cut down on my sleeping bag weight which led to cold feet

Down Socks website ----- http://astucas.com

Matt Hollands website --- http://outdoorsmh.blogspot.co.uk/

New KX3 Pouch

My new pouch for my KX3 radio has arrived. It's a 9 x 6 pouch from Maxpedition and purchased from Military 1st in the UK.......

Its holds all of the kit pictured below and with room to spare for an odd extra battery, chocolate mmmmm !!  chocolate

KX3 Pouch website ----www.military1st.co.uk

Tarting Up House

Myself and Diane have started selling the contents of our house so the we can move onto a narrowboat and go and enjoy the unseen sights of the UK..........

Elecraft KX3 Upgrades

I've decided to to some upgrades to my Elecraft KX3. These are the PA heat sink and the 4m transverter.. Got the heat sink just before Easter and have been waiting for the 4m transverter..

Received my KX3 4m module today after the Easter delays in the postal system..Excitement soon turned to sad disappointment  when it turned out to be a 2m module.. So sent it back to Walters and Stanton in Essex, now there will be a delay in fitting up the PA heat sink as well which came from from Howard Hoyt WA4PSC in North Carolina 

Howard's Website ------- https://proaudioeng.com

Elecraft's Website ------ http://www.elecraft.com